The Georgia Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Trauma, in collaboration with Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, is starting voluntary training for EMS staff on recognizing potential human trafficking victims. This training aligns with Human Trafficking Prevention Month and aims to raise awareness and address this severe issue.

EMS personnel play a vital role in assisting trafficking victims and need to be aware of signs and legal aspects of human trafficking. The training will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge. First Lady Marty Kemp emphasized the importance of this training for helping survivors effectively.

The training is free and available online. To report suspected trafficking, call the Statewide 24-Hour Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-866-ENDHTGA, or call 911 if there is immediate danger.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, January 30, 2025:

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Residents of Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama are waking up with temperatures in the upper 30s this morning, and this will likely be the coldest morning for the next seven days. Mid and high clouds will increase across north Georgia today,  with only a slight chance of an isolated shower for Northwest Georgia.  By this evening, a closed low will start to merge with the main flow, and a cold front will approach the area. Rain chances will rise in northwest Georgia by early Friday morning ahead of this system. A cold front and rain will move through on Friday, exiting by early Saturday morning. Rainfall totals are estimated to be between 0. 5 to 1 inch in Northwest Georgia but severe weather potential will be limited. For the weekend and early next week, mild temperatures will continue to gradually warm with highs in the 60s and 70s through the middle of next week and, after Friday,  no expected rain until next Wednesday. Temperatures in the long-term will stay warm for January and February with highs in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 40s and 50s.

Wednesday night local firefighters with the Trion Fire Department, alongside the Summerville Fire Department and Hays Correctional Fire Department, responded to a fire at an outbuilding used for housing young poultry chicks. The incident occurred on Wallace Road, located off Longhollow Road, north of Welcome Hill Baptist Church. Upon arrival, firefighters were met with heavy flames and thick smoke billowing from the outbuilding, which was close to a residential structure. The fire posed a significant threat to the nearby home, prompting an immediate and coordinated response from the firefighting teams. Thanks to their swift actions and teamwork, firefighters were able to rapidly extinguish the blaze. Unfortunately, the owner of the building lost 300 baby chicks. Fortunately, no injuries to firefighters or residents were reported.

In a developing legal dispute, Rocking S Farm, LLC has filed a petition in the Superior Court of Chattooga County against newly elected Commissioner Andy Allen, alleging that he intends to unlawfully revoke a building permit for four chicken houses on their property. The case arises from a permit issued by former Commissioner Blake Elsberry in October 2024, which Rocking S Farm had relied upon to initiate construction and secure federal loans.

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New Echota-Cherokee Capital State Historic will host a ‘First Saturday Hike’ on February 1st, 2025, from 10 am to 11:30 am. Visitors can join a Ranger to explore the nature trails and learn about the history and nature of the site where the Cherokee lived. All ages are welcome. There is an admission fee: adults (18-61) $8. 00, seniors (62+) $6. 00, and youth (6-17) $6. 00. New Echota is located one mile east of Interstate 75 (Exit 317) on GA HWY 225 N. near Calhoun, Georgia. Call 706. 624. 1321 or visit GaStateParks.org/newechota for more information.

The Chattooga County Martin Luther King Committee has announced a change to its annual scholarship program, now officially named the Mrs. Jacqueline M. Finley Scholarship. This renaming honors Mrs. Finley, a beloved educator and community member whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the lives of many students.  Born in the Holland Community, Mrs. Jacqueline M. Finley has dedicated over 34 years to the Georgia Educational System, serving as both a teacher and librarian. With a foundation of knowledge garnered from her studies at Akron University in Ohio and Fort Valley State College in Georgia, Mrs. Finley has inspired countless students throughout her esteemed career. In a tribute to her legacy, the Chattooga County MLK Committee will award two scholarships in Mrs. Finley’s name this June. The scholarships aim to support students in their pursuit of higher education, reflecting the values of dedication, community service, and excellence that Mrs. Finley has embodied throughout her life.

In a significant shift from years of firm GOP resistance, a group of Senate Republicans from rural Georgia has joined forces to sponsor a new bipartisan bill aimed at fully expanding Medicaid through a conservative-friendly approach. Filed on Tuesday, the proposal seeks to leverage federal funding to purchase private insurance for individuals on the marketplace rather than simply increasing the number of participants in the state-run Medicaid program.

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Elizabeth Sueanne Maddux, a 38-year-old resident of Chattooga County, was arrested on Monday of this week, after a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of methamphetamine in her vehicle. Deputy Nick Robinson was on patrol near the intersection of Highway 27 and the Floyd County line when he observed Maddux’s blue Nissan Maxima making erratic lane changes. After activating his emergency lights, Deputy Robinson initiated a traffic stop after the vehicle nearly veered off the road. Upon making contact with Maddux, Deputy Robinson noted her lack of eye contact and asked if she had anything illegal in the vehicle. Maddux denied having any illegal substances and consented to a search. During the search, Deputy Robinson discovered two clear plastic baggies containing a white crystalline substance, which later tested positive for methamphetamine, hidden in a pack of cigarettes within the car. Maddux initially claimed that her uncle had been driving the vehicle. She was subsequently detained and transported to the Chattooga County Jail without incident. Following her arrest, Maddux was allowed to contact her husband to retrieve her vehicle, which was turned over to a family member. Maddux now faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and traffic offenses.

Georgia Power customers will notice a 3.5% increase in their monthly bills that started this month, translating to approximately $5.85 for the average household. This adjustment marks the sixth rate hike in just three years, following five previous increases in 2023, and is part of a long-term financial plan approved by state regulators in 2022.

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